The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office announced on March 16 that it will hold a public hearing on April 8 to gather comments regarding the proposed adoption of a regional service provider for the North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The hearing is significant because it concerns the selection of New North Carolina Project as the service provider for Region 2, which covers several counties in eastern North Carolina. The Weatherization Assistance Program aims to help income-eligible households save energy, lower utility bills, and improve home comfort and safety by offering free weatherization services. The program receives federal funding each year.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, North Carolina’s Weatherization Assistance Program received an additional $89 million to enhance energy efficiency for eligible households across the state. The United States Department of Energy requires each state to submit a plan for these funds. After accepting public comments and holding a previous hearing in March 2023, North Carolina’s plan was approved by the Department of Energy in August 2023.
New North Carolina Project was conditionally approved by DEQ as Region 2’s service provider following a competitive request for proposal process that ran from December 5, 2025, through January 23, 2026. If finalized, NNCP will receive about $5 million to serve until either 2029 or until funds are depleted. The region includes Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Wayne counties.
Members of the public can attend the April 8 hearing at DEQ Green Square Office Building in Raleigh or join online via Webex. Comments may also be submitted by mail or email through April 10 to be included in the official record. More information about IIJA WAP and related documentation is available on the NC DEQ website.
The outcome of this process will determine how federal weatherization funds are distributed in eastern North Carolina over the next several years.
